We recently connected with Joshua Walker and have shared our conversation below.

Joshua, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

The greatest thing I could have ever done was taken a risk. I’ve always been so afraid to do much because I always ask myself, “How would other people take this?” For years, I would beat myself up about any little thing that I wanted to do because I always wanted everything to be perfect. I’ve always been my most prominent critic and hard on myself. I have to learn that there’s beauty in imperfection and if everything were already perfect, there would be no room for growth and elevation. God doesn’t call the qualified. He qualifies those he calls. Seeing how far I’ve come and the rooms my name has entered blows my mind still to this day. I never thought I’ll be in a position where others would look up to me, seek guidance from me and acknowledge me in such a way that demands respect in every manner. I can remember back when I first started my business. I didn’t have any help. I didn’t have any guidance. I didn’t have anything. I started from scratch. I feel like when people say they “started from the bottom” they don’t really understand what the bottom is. I started from lent, literally. With no money in my pocket but a dream to carry me, I stepped out on faith and took that leap. No one understands your vision better than you do and you need to stop expecting others to see your light. Do it for you! Do it for all those nights you sat in your dark space and cried for hours because you wanted something so bad to work. Do it for all those people that doubted your capabilities which, correspondingly, caused you to doubt them too! I worked my butt off for everything I have now. NOTHING was given but definitely earned. I remember being so drained from my own doubts that I questioned how could i ever help someone else. Looking back on all the slander, the hurt, the no’s, the losses, and the denials I endured, no greater feeling matches the feelings I have now. The gratitude and appreciation I have now outweigh any turmoil I endured to get here. I lost a couple of things, friends and love but I won’t turn back for any of it at all. For anyone looking to take a risk, go for it! Come out the gate swinging! Defend yourself and your business at all costs! Never let anyone downplay, deter, or talk you out of bringing your dreams to fruition! Keep God first, stand firm in your faith and let the doors begin to open for you!

Joshua, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

JW Iconic is an umbrella of different areas. JW Iconic is a multi-labeled business that focuses on the empowerment, motivation, and breaking of barriers among the youth in the world. The umbrella holds Event/ Fashion Productions, Model/Runway Coaching/ Mentorship, Therapy Sessions, Advisory, Public Speaking, and Custom T-Shirts/ Apparel. I specialize in getting shy/timid youth out of their comfort zones and giving them different ways to effectively and successfully express themselves. The most common way I do this is through the modeling art form. This gives the youth the way to speak volumes without even having to say a word. I also do therapy consultations which give the youth, as well adults a free space to come and openly voice their current state. While working in a therapeutic setting, I’ve learned that people are quicker to talk to a stranger about their problems than a loved one and I’ve always been that listening ear to all the youth I’ve ever come in contact with.

I’m most proud of the strides I’ve made to push the youth further than the placement I was in when I was their age. I made so many silly mistakes growing up and I’ve just been so open with sharing with the youth some of my stories so they won’t have to go down that same path. I want them to know there’s a better way and there’s an easier path to follow. They just have to be willing to make that change/ work towards progressively making a change. I’m proud that I’ve seen myself grow on different platforms and that I’ve been able to reach more people through word of mouth, social media, and these magazines! I set myself apart from others because I distinctively work towards the progression of others rather than forcing/giving up on them when the results don’t seem to happen as soon as I would like. Everyone adapts differently and everyone moves at a different pace. I’m most proud that I can meet people where they are and I stay with them along the way to ensure productivity, a success story, and refreshed new beginning.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Authenticity. I fabricated my life wholeheartedly when I first built my social media presence. Everything I posted, announced, or stated was for personal gain. I had to learn the epitome of being humble. In life, we see so many things that deter us from the purpose we have because we are continuously comparing ourselves to others, Your value and your path are mainly for you. Until you really lock into the mindset that I’m my own individual and although I and someone else may have the same gift, our visions/ goals are different. No one has what you have to offer and no one’s passion is like your own. Attaining an audience requires you to become selfless and until you truly understand how to do so, you’ll forever struggle in finding your targeted audience. I remember I was so stuck on gaining followers that I would literally post and do anything to gain them. I remember once I stopped looking for an audience and posted so that an audience can look for me, I finally started to gain one. They were literally coming back to back. What God has purposed for your life will never leave you lacking but will see how strong you’ll be in standing firm on that promise. I built an audience through being me. Every time I show up, I show up as me and people genuinely love that. I struggled for so long trying to be someone I’m not and it caused me to face so many hardships that I really didn’t even have to face. It was many nights I cried because I didn’t know who I was and who I wanted to be until it hit me all at once. For anybody looking to build a social media audience, the best thing I can tell you to do is to trust what you have to bring. Stop looking for people and things to bring a table for you to sit and eat. Build your own table, prepare your own meal and get in the position to serve what you have,

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My creative journey has been one for the books but I don’t regret anything that has happened to get me in the position I am in thus far. Everything truly happens for a reason and God doesn’t make any mistakes. My mission throughout my creative journey is to leave a lasting impact on anyone with whom I come in contact to steer them into successful and positive matriculation through life. I have a heart for young people but have never limited myself. I want to be so great that not only does my impact cause people to live their lives miraculously but also causes them to never give up on themselves, their dreams, and to wholeheartedly go after anything in life that they want to achieve full fledge.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: _pasdesoucis
• Facebook: Joshua Walker